The goal of this exercise is to reach a consensus through collaborative debate.

Step. 1. Students select a topic to serve as the proposition. Topics should be accessible to all members of the class. For example:

The University should eliminate grades.

The local community should fund a new library.

Step. 2. Together, the students generate all the reasons for and against the proposition.

Step. 3. These reasons are then distributed to members of the class for research purposes.

Step. 4. In-class debate.

First speaker: Affirmative—in support of the proposition. A student is selected to speak in favor of the proposition. It is his or her responsibility to argue the reasons.

Class members may support and offer research materials.

Second speaker: N egative—in opposition to the proposition. A different student is selected to speak in opposition. It is her or his responsibility to either (1) concede or (2) refute a reason offered by the previous speaker. This speaker may draw on the support and research of the entire class, including the first affirmative speaker.

Third speaker: Affirmative. Yet another speaker is selected to speak in favor of the proposal.

This speaker rephrases those points refuted by the opposition. This speaker must either concede or refute each one. Again, this speaker may draw on the support and research of the entire class, including the first opposition speaker.

Fourth speaker: Negative. A new speaker is selected to oppose. It is her or his turn to concede or refute the points established by the previous speaker. This person may also use the support of the entire class.

This process continues until all reasons are explored and considered. The goal of the process is for the class to reach consensus. The consensus will be one of three options: maintain the current system or state of affairs, accept the proposition outright, or create a modified plan. In the example of a university eliminating grades, these outcomes might be as follows: keep the current grading system

(status quo), eliminate the grading system (affirm the proposition outright), or convert the grading system to pass/fail only (a potential modified plan).